Stuart Davis led the second round charge at the Estoril Open de Portugal with three birdies in his opening eight holes.

Birdies at the eighth, 13th and 15th holes allowed the Englishman, on his first full season on The European Tour, to move to four under par at Oitavos Dunes, within three shots of the overnight leader, Ross McGowan.

The provisional clubhouse lead looked set to go to Paul Broadhurst and Michael Jonzon, two under par going through the 16th.

Simon Dyson will begin his second round on four under par, after mounting a significant challenge to McGowan on day one.

In the 20 months since his sixth place at the 2007 US PGA Championship Dyson has not managed a single win, but he was lying in joint third place going into today's second round at Oitavos Dunes despite a problem with his neck.

"I was in Spain three weeks ago and the bed was not very comfortable," Dyson said.

"All the physio doesn't seem to be helping it and I'm going to see somebody next week.

"Every drive I went for I must have blocked it 40 yards right. It's troubled me in the past, but this one is not easing up and it feels like it could go really bad if I push it."